I am a musician (organ) and a tatter (shuttle mostly) living in California. I have dreamed of combining both of these passions.
It’s not really a flower, but that’s what it reminds me of. This is the middle row of the lace that should reflect the middle section of Fantasia in G BWV 572. I need to study the score to decide. I think I may need to rework the outer row also. My sample just doesn’t look the correct proportion. That will be a tomorrow task.
Today I’m meeting with area tatters
to encourage each other and relax after last weekend. Wish you could sit down
with your shuttles or needles and join us!
Tomorrow starts our decorating time. I have never succeeded in decorating right after Thanksgiving. I’m sure part of the “problem” is that Christmas is so much more for me than Carols or Ornaments or Gift Giving/Card Sending. And truth be told, if I haven’t got Christmas in hand by the start of November, the music will not be stress-free and joyful! So, Christmas Eve is Decorating Day. I’m sure there will lots and lots of tatting involved!!
That’s the title, I think, of a song I heard the other day. I always thought it was a song for just a regular day, but then, on closer pondering, it fits for Christmas. Now I must find a copy to add to my to-design pile.
On another note, I’m in the thicket of Christmas music, so I
haven’t tat in a few days. I should have pictures soon!
Made ya look!
It’s not….there are so many unfinished projects sitting
waiting for my attention. If I think about them too much, I lose all momentum
to finish them and start a new project. I know, not healthy…..
Having recently finished a knitting project started many
years ago, I decided to tackle the next biggest project: the elephant. I’m
using a floor stand with the canvas stretched on stretcher bars roughly a yard
square. So, it takes up space. If I finish it, I can use that space, right?
Next section to stitch is the background. The designer asks
for a combination of cotton thread and a rayon “thread” that behaves more like
ribbon. It’s relaxing to work, so it shouldn’t take long to complete. Then, on
to the next section: border.
If you’re really interested in joining me in stitching this
project, EGA is offering a lightning round with Mary Long.
I do love Christmas time. I always have lots of music to share. I always have lots of gifts to give. I usually have lots of tatting to share. I can’t show much of what I’ve been working on. But I will share this:
 |
| mini stockings with tatting in white |
These were gifted me several years ago. I love them!! Simple
velveteen for the background material, simple white lace for the
embellishments. What’s not to love!! Well, when you hang them among the
branches of your green tree, the background of the stockings gets lost. This
year, I’m displaying them on the Tatting Stands! I can’t decide whether to
place them on the mantle, on a window shelf, or on a small table. Where would
you display them????
This week is the week of Advent that I find out where the failure points are in my planning. With age, I’ve gained wisdom. Enough to alter my plans and not be bullied into sticking with what I figure out will fail. Mind does not conquer shredded tendons!!! So, when I had the difficult talk with myself, made the difficult decisions, and had the difficult conversations (email seldom works with these conversations), I sat down to tat.
Remember this project? The center was quite easy to come up with. I’ve managed to learn more of the piece on organ. That helped to figure out what I really wanted to do for the middle section:
I think it just might work!
Happy Christmas!!
(I’ll be continuing to publish posts, but may avail myself
of the scheduling feature! More time to practice and tat then…..)
With the emergence of omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, I’ve reluctantly decided to not make plans for travel or visiting until more is known. Please support those who are working in the health and science fields to discover facts so that we can live more wisely in community with each other.
I
came to this decision while helping out with the finishing of the ornament
pictured here. Before you ask if I can finish your stitching, let me assure you
I have A LOT to learn!!
Thank you for the kind comments and emails regarding the stand for sale at StephanieCerviDesign. I forgot to mention a coupon code that will be available starting now for a limited time:
PICOTSNKEYS
Enter at Check out for 20% off.
Enjoy sharing your tatting!!
Oh, and I did finish a few big projects. No pictures to
show. Perhaps after the Big Day!!
I am excited to showcase a new product in StephanieCerviDesign shop on Etsy:
For details, please see this listing. The scoop is:
printed using PLA on a 3D printer
$9.00 plus tax BUT includes shipping to US addresses
Available in custom colors (limited to PLA availability)
Thank you, Stephanie, for allowing me to post about this handy display tool!!
For those who are curious about the tatting, below is a link to The Online Tatting Class video channel. If you are already tatting lace, here's the list of the patterns:
Doily in blues in the left side of the photo: Interwoven Picot Medallion designed by Cajah Reed
Pansy in purples: from Priscilla Tatting book No. 2
small blue snowflake: Star in 2 Colors designed by Inga Madsen
Inverted Snowflake designed by Martha Ess
Ice Drop designed by Diane Cadematori
The green bulb covered in white tatting is a gift from a tatting mentor. She did not have a pattern, but the motif is a common one.
The snowflake just out of the frame in front is a common center for many snowflakes. I hope you find a few snowflakes that would look pretty on the stands. I'll be using mine to photograph my lace for all to see.
Well, I didn’t finish the ornament. I finished a prayer shawl instead. This one I started…..
7 years ago. (ulp)
What is that Jubilee concept? Every so often all is forgiven
and reset. Well, now my Knitting Board is free to reset. I think I need to
finish other projects first. Then, I'll maybe start another one. Oh yeah, the elephant......
Thank you to those who were curious when I mentioned I was distracted again. Curious or worried. Nothing to report thankfully. I was just caught up in getting the Moller fixed and getting my COVID-19 booster. Now it’s time to get busy on other tasks!
Like finishing the tree ornament.
Community (noun)
1. A group of
people who live in the same area.
2. A group of people
who have the same interests.
Mea culpa
I got distracted.
I’m playing the folding organ built by the Bilhorn Brothers.
It’s fun! I usually play a medley of happy English dance music and Trumpet
Tunes. Think wedding music and Masterpiece Theater hosted by Alistair Cooke.
Yes, you pump it like the reed organs from the late 19th-early
20th century. It’s a bit of a workout, but fun!
I like the way this came out. I’m playing with the camera on
my new phone. I took several shots against several different backgrounds. All
of them came out nice. This camera will spoil me!
I’m continuing to organize and cull through everything. It’s amazing how a move will force that issue, but a remodel will really make you work!! I’ll be starting something new next week, for now…..
Tis finished indeed
If you’ve been along with me on this adventure of life, you
know I can’t leave well enough along when simplicity is called for….normally.
Sometimes in my old age, I get it simple.
This edging will go around the ornament I’m working on with
the EGA stitchers. Check back before next week for a view of the ornament
suitably laced.
I’ve had questions about this fundraiser. In an abundance of caution, it was decided not to add this event to the schedule of this “interim festival” due to COVID-19 statistics. So much of the music this festival focuses on is vocal music. That is still an activity that needs care to participate in. So, many of the traditions are still postponed. We’re hoping in 2022, when the Festival is back in full strength, that it will be possible to offer all the wonderful art for auction. Stay tuned!
It is wonderful to reconnect with Bach Fest folk. There has been so much anticipation. We’re well into week 1 of concerts and it has been fabulous. For those local to Monterey/Carmel area, see you at the Fest!
I will be distracted for the next few weeks. (I know, I’m ALWAYS distracted.) Carmel Bach Festival opens this Saturday. It will be fun to sit and listen and listen and learn and……
Oh, and one of the fine organs in the area is back up and
running after a major refurbish. I’ll be celebrating that also.
While I was sorting, stowing, arranging, and then….resting, my mind wandered. Back to tatting inspired by music….of course!!!
I’m still working out the stitch count on Fantasia. As I
pulled it out yesterday during some down-time, I saw something was missing.
Couldn’t place it though, until I was in the shower and thought about the
Endrucks Project. That’s when things clicked into place. Thank you Muskaan and Ninetta for heading up and inspiring us!!
I’ll be trying out the idea with shuttle and thread later
today. After more putting away and organizing.
We’ve been remodeling our house in bits and pieces. I’ve stayed organized in my music filing/playing. I’ve stayed organized in my shuttles and thread. I’ve stayed organized in the basics of food, clothing, and shelter. Well, maybe not so much the latter. I thought unpacking would be easier. I’m finding it just as tedious and odious as unpicking rings with beads and fingering a Lemare piece with thumbing down. Ugh!
Now that I’ve got that moan out of the way, perhaps I’ll be
able to use my time with shuttles and needle to create lace.
Well, one can hope, right?
I have trained my family well. They spotted tatted trim on a costume used in the Masterpiece series Sanditon: the hat used for the character Lady Susan in Season 1, Episode 2. It’s a classic rings-only trim. If you scroll down to the section on her character, you will find a photo of the costume on https://britishperioddramas.com/news/future-of-sanditon-who-holds-the-purse-strings/
I think the lace frames the face very well.
No, I’ve always been in my place….maybe not in my lane, but
in my place.
I hung this back up yesterday. It’s what I see first thing
when I wake up. I tat the fuchsia blossoms and hummingbird many years ago as a
gift to my mother. It took me longer to cover the ring and secure then netting
than it did to tat the lace. I brought it back when we cleared the home after
my Mom died. Now it reminds me of her love and how special I am.
If you cannot manage that, you will have a rough go at
tatting.
Over the last few days, I have been spending my tatting time sorting through a pile of “stuff” given to me after a house was cleared due to the owner passing away. Sifting through your own unfinished projects can be emotionally draining, so I understand wanting a stranger to do so. Most of the items are supplies erring on the thread side. This creative person organized their embroidery floss into a binder neatly labeled with DMC color number. Not a whole skein, just a sample. I’ll be using it myself to dip my toe into thread painting.
What I figure shouldn’t (ahem) be added to my stash will go
to a friend for her work with schools and fiber arts. She’s so creative and
really, really good at unleashing the creativity in others. Nothing will be
chucked before the creative potential is thoroughly explored.
May we all find time to explore creatively.
Ever get the feeling you’ve wandered off the trail and are crashing through the underbrush? Your progress towards your destination slows, you may even lose your direction, or you realize you’re standing in poison oak in the fall. Life has a way of happening, doesn’t it?
Well, last week I lost the trail and found myself in the
middle of a thicket of errors.
This week?
I’ve found the trail. I figured out what needs to happen to
finish off the doily with lots of beads. I should have pictures soon.
In the meantime, I took a moment to enjoy sunrise and walk
by the Bay.
Warning: this post is created by Miss Grumpy.
My efforts with shuttle have produced a mess. My efforts with
needles have produced knots. My efforts with marketing my teaching have
produced snarky. My efforts at organizing my house have produced piles of
boxes.
Sigh!!
But…..
I like organ music because it is innovative: you pick your
stops based on criteria that changes with each instrument.
I like tatting because it is innovative: there is no “right”
way to create the lace.
I like living in a historic home because it is innovative:
when a component is no longer manufactured, or custom built how many years ago,
you must create a new way.
When you innovate, you make mistakes.
Maybe my mistakes will yield a new innovative way to ???????
At the very least Miss Grumpy needs to leave so I can enjoy life!
I know I shared a photo of this already, but……
So here’s how I finished the ornament:
I cut 2 pieces of white felt to use as padding and backing
I cut a piece of blue tissue paper (didn’t have felt in a
nice shade of blue to use)
I sewed the felt to the canvas with the tissue paper backing the canvas
I twisted some crochet thread to create the cord and sewed
it on leaving space to tack in the ribbon to use in hanging.
I’m sorely tempted to tat an edging to use also. Maybe it’s
because I like the way Ice Drops looks on the tree. I recommend a fabric rather
than felt. When I did a test fit on a live tree, the felt made it difficult to hang
the ornament carefully. I will likely use a different thread to create the cord
for the next ornament. The crochet thread doesn’t have enough sheen to the
fiber. I like sparkle.
This post has no music, no lace, and is rambling. There! You’ve been warned!!!
I am of an age to remember a girl in my town who had
suffered paralysis from polio. The adults admonished us to be nice to her. Other adults clucked their tongues and mourned she would never marry. Thanksgiving was always expressed that she
didn’t die. You don’t forget that.
I am of an age to remember getting a polio vaccine with the
rest of my class in school. It was terrifying! The dose was delivered with a
tool that sounded like a miniature pneumatic nail gun. We were lined up along the side of the room after moving the desks to clear space. I knew one of the nurses from the church choir. She was trained on
the battlefield….literally. She never lost her bark. They marched into the
classroom. There was no privacy, no coddling. One nurse
rolled your sleeve up for you; the next nurse wiped down your arm with a swab;
then the final nurse delivered the poke. The boys bragged they didn’t cry. The
girls whimpered. The teachers shushed us and directed us to sit
at our desks with our hands folded until all was calm.
I am of an age to remember and take action. My first action
each day: prayers of gratitude that I live when and where I do with the gifts I
have been given.
Remember
The stitches worked in blue thread are Rhodes stitches. I couldn’t help thinking about Rhodes scholars when I was stitching this. There is lots of counting and double checking to do with this pattern. I felt like my brain had got a workout when I finished. It was fun to add the pearls.
Next up:
a Christmas tree pattern with beads to mimic ball ornaments and lights.
Shhhh…….
I’m working on big
projects…….
Like skylights, window
coverings, and lots and lots of dusting.
When I do sit down with my
shuttles, I’m working on the first 2 movements of the Saint-Saens. It’s been
awhile, and I thought I should finish off the design.
The doily with a ton of beads is still on the shuttles. There’s 22 repeats in this round. Each repeat has about 6 beads that need to be added at a join, so it’ll be slow going.
Add to that, I’ve been
helping to get our house to the next stage of remodel.
So, soon I’ll be getting
back to the designing phase of my tatting life.
Stay safe and healthy!
 |
| Interwoven Picot Medallion by Cajah Reed |
Thank you Cajah Reed for
sharing your wonderful pattern. And thank you IOLI for publishing it in the
Bulletin. I had fun adding beads to the outer round!
Next up is finishing
another doily with lots and lots of beads!!
Yeah, about that memory bit….
Well, don’t feel bad if
you can’t remember all my ideas, I don’t either.
This idea of chords I do
remember. I think about it a lot. Chords create harmony and are so important in
music. I’ve even been handed “music” by a singer I’m supposed to accompany that
looks like this:
That was an interesting
day!
 |
| Threads that Bind |
She shared instruction for
the doily one round per day on Facebook and her blog. We were to devise a final
round. Here is a link to her albums: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2882479928472885&type=3
Like many of us during
those crazy weeks of lock down, I tidied and tidied and sorted and tatted. I used a vinatge shuttle for some sections; and a two bobbin shuttle for other sections. I
uncovered quite a few books and pattern copies and notes. I decided to try to
evoke the plight so many of us around the world found ourselves in by working a motif in blue and
black that reminds me of a house. After adding a few motifs for “bushes/trees”
and “clouds” the doily seemed to be coming together. Then, I dithered around for weeks trying to see if
another round was necessary to tie all the colors together. I’ve decided it isn’t.
So, here’s my version. I worked it in vintage size 30 thread so there are "issues" with staining and uneven ring sizes. The yellow seemed to stretch out and pucker as I worked the pink sections. Really odd!! There's just enough yellow left to sit on a shuttle for trying out ideas.
I wish everyone a safe and successful Fall!
 |
| Sitting on top of a corner cabinet |
Remember the rainbow dot
created by the front door of my house?
This is what the sun
creates in a corner of my dining room. The chandelier helps. The angel figurine
was a gift many, many years ago from a friend to “speed up the healing.” Just
what the doctor ordered!
 |
| Interwoven Picot Medallion round 3 |
Pair!
 |
| Lace Day earrings designed by Muskaan |
I like this pattern a lot.
Thank you Muskaan for taking us down a rabbit hole curtesy of Frau Endrucks.
The beads add just enough to the design, don’t you think?
In the metallic thread,
with the pearl drop, it’s a bit large and heavy for earrings on my face. I know
I have a big mouth, well at least large teeth, but I’m more of a petite earring
person. Ears are not the only thing I decorate with thread tatted into lace,
though…..
It was popular to decorate
with lace, macramé, and quilts at the time when our house was originally built.
I don’t succumb to the siren call of all things frilly, the wood work is rather
plain. There are quite a few touches of lace and airy fabric. So, could I use
these Lace Day Earrings in the home?
Yes!!!
We need to replace window coverings in several rooms. How about a very neat,
tidy and practical blind that allows us to open the transom for air
circulation? And just because I can, decorate the blind with this wonderful
Lace Day creation!
More later as the blinds
arrive…….
This detour was to the blower room of the organ I’m to play Sunday. When I turned it on earlier this week, lights worked, but there was no air. No air, no sound. The maintenance staff was very helpful, but alas I am not familiar enough with the organ to know immediately what is wrong and how to fix it. Thus I consulted the organ repair service, thank you Roger!, and needed to return to finish my preparation. I’m sure this is why winding bobbins and shuttles never bother me. 3-4 hours of preparation will make Sunday go that much more smoothly.
I’m always intrigued by vintage patterns revisited. Muskaan adapted a pattern from a wonderful book written in German published originally in 1920. She added beads which inspired me. Besides, I just received some of the Liz Metallic in Frappe and I had 2 faux pearl drop beads. The second earring should go faster…..should….if I keep my concentration!
 |
| Lace Day earring designed by Muskaan |
I like the way this is working up. I was skeptical using a
variegated thread. But, this is working so far. I must puzzle more on that as I
complete the pattern.
I also like the many, many programs that IOLI is offering.
The member’s only events on the surface looked a bit, well one-sided, focusing
on topics those who work bobbin laces would be interested in. As I’m not
head-over-heals into bobbin lace, I was prepared to be bored or worse yet put
off by snootiness. Occasionally, there is still a comment or phrase that
implies if you don’t want to devote your
life to bobbin lace, you’re not a “real” lacer. But, for the most part, the
programs have been accessible and interesting. I now have a list of museums to
explore. I hope to start on that list next month….at least virtually!
Because I
like contrapuntal* music, I like tatting patterns
that weave into 3-D pieces. Being able to work them in different colors
is just what the organist in me wants. So, I’m off on a new interwoven pattern:
Rd 1 color 1 of Interwoven Picot
Medallion adapted by Cajah Reed
I
found this in the summer 2021 issue (Vol. 41, No 4) of the Bulletin published
by IOLI. The name is very descriptive: Interwoven Picot Medallion and Ornament.
Thank you to Cajah Reed for adaption this from Serena Watson’s Twirly.
* Contrapuntal: A piece of music with two or more independent melodic lines.
We add beads to tatting that can remind one of adding beads
to kitting or crochet or cross stitch. Each way gives you just a bit different
result.
We can play a piano piece on the organ, or transcribe an
orchestral work for the organ. The music can sound very different, but there’s
still a bit of recognition.
When I learned how to create a “cluny leaf” in tatting, I
understood the technique, had fun creating the lace, and love using the
technique in my patterns. I also understood that those who create a similar
element in bobbin lace or surface embroidery stutter when trying our cluny
leafs in tatting. Why? I wondered.
Well, this post on Mary Corbet’s excellent blog with videos
gave me more insight:
Stitch Fun: Making Long Woven Picots without a Pin
I recommend watching this video also: https://www.needlenthread.com/2008/01/woven-picot-another-embroidery-video.html
Now I understand how to teach tatting a cluny so much
better! Thank you to all who share and teach and put fiber arts out there for
all of us!
To sample a trunkful of lace techniques. Most are closer to a bobbin lace pillow or needle than a shuttle, but it will be fun and beautiful!!
IOLI UnCon virtual convention: The Silver Lining
This link will take you to the list of events open to the
public.
See you there!
No, I haven’t found more puzzling situations. I’m just still puzzling where the ideas I’ve come up with lately will take my tatting. That involves lots of testing out things in thread.
While I’ve been exploring those ideas, I’ve enjoyed watching the videos produced during Organfest 2021. After you get to the main page, you have a choice of 5 groups of videos that dropped each day of the week. I commend to you any and all, but especially the improvisation by Ivan Bosnar under the Friday tab. He is studying at Eastman after starting out in his native Croatia. The whole video is about an hour long. His part starts about 34 minutes in. I say, “Splendid” and worth your time…while tatting!!
The idea of tatting executed to reflect stained glass just keeps coming back.
And yes, there is stained glass in our Historic.
Add to that concept this technique I learned yesterday:
Now for that idea expanded.......
Could the surface embroidery be paired with tatting?
Join me in puzzling this idea out. I dare you!!!
I gave up yesterday.
I took a day to reset. I only did the must-do on the list and then stitched on the Elephant all afternoon. I made progress. It’s slow going on the background, but rather relaxing.
Now, I need to get back to organizing the organ music,
straightening up the thread stash, and catching up on viewing the AGO videos. I’m
long past comparing myself to those stars. I have to smile: there are more
videos of organists in the 20’s than there are of organists in their 50’s. A
very pleasant shift. One can hope that the organ will live and not die.
Just like tatting is not dying, organs will sound!
 |
| Katrine by Lene Bjorn |
Normally, I dislike patterns I need to fuss with to make it work for my tatting style. That’s probably why I don’t tat more vintage patterns. I figure if a designer puts down a ring of 8 DS, I shouldn’t need to tat only 7 DS to make the final piece lay flat or look right. I understand that I tat tighter than many tatters. So, when I come across a pattern that doesn’t work with the published stitch count, I assume (yes, I know a dangerous stance) that something isn’t right.
I came across a pattern in a book of crosses that I’ve
wanted to explore for some time. The end points of each arm/leg/top are split
rings. Easy enough, right? Well, the pattern as published has those split rings
with 8 DS on each side. One side has 3 picots, so if you do picots the Jan
Stawasz way, that changes how many times the thread wraps around the core. I
tried the pattern both ways. It was no go. I used a different tension. No go. I
even tried using a different brand of thread that is just ever so less a
diameter. No go. I finally just changed the stitch count.
Why should this matter so much?
Because my design style depends on stitch count. There are
some pieces I design with stitch count driven by the music structure. Well, I
learned something very valuable with this pattern:
If I need stitch count to matter, I should steer clear of
certain elements.
I know many of you reading this are more familiar with the tatting side of my life than the music side or my life. But, this is important.
Some of you have been lucky enough to play or at least hear
the Dobson Opus 94 at St. Dunstan’s Carmel Valley. I consider it a wonderful
instrument that I get to play regularly. This news item hit me in the gut:
Last week Dobson Organ Builders in Lake City, Iowa suffered
a disastrous fire. The building is a complete loss. So much was lost in the
fire. But what was found is important to me:
Many, many people have expressed support in many tangible
ways to the company. And all they do is build pipe organs. Very good pipe
organs. It is wonderful to know they will be rebuilding. Let’s all help.
I have been looking at opportunities for this summer. Opportunities to learn in workshops and classes; opportunities to teach workshops, lessons, classes; and opportunities to relax in the company of people I enjoy being around. Some of these opportunities are in-person and some are in Zoom computer classrooms.
There are merits to both formats. Some of those in-person
meetings will take me away from the local area. Not a bad idea. The “two weeks”
has stretched to 6 weeks. I’d like a break from camping in my own home. And no,
I don’t wish we had rented a place to stay while the work is being done. Mostly
because if it was out of sight, the decisions we’d need to make would not be
that pressing and wouldn’t get hashed out. But, then pandemic…..
But Zoom has been good, but it’s not that good. I would be
much more effective teaching a workshop in person. I like seeing students
succeed and understand what I’m demonstrating. That happens at a higher success
rate in-person than over the Internet. But, then pandemic……
I guess the answer is to walk down to the Bay and decide.
It’s been a bit warmer the past few days. I’m not quoting any numbers because it’s all relative. Let it suffice to say that we don’t have any air conditioning. The biggest impact on my life is when I have tatting or stitching to do. My hands really sweat when the temperature climbs. So, no pictures to show and no stories to tell.
Well, a story: The other morning the wind was from just the
right direction and things were still, so still that I heard the bell buoy. The
sound just came wafting over the trees all the way (1/5 mile) from the Bay.
Have a wonderful weekend.
The class I’ve been taking is giving me all kinds of ideas
for designs. Remember this bookmark?
Using the tune called Joy, I create a way to represent the
melody in beads. We classify these tunes in meter
– 8888 – eight notes per line.
Well, how about creating a way to represent the poetry?
Meter in poetry is a little more complicated. But, it could work, right????
It’s time to wind shuttles for a large project. I’ve sampled, sampled, sampled. I’ve refined the pattern and color plan. So, it’s time for the tedium of tatting. I’ll be combining that with attending a class offered as a summer intensive. Tatting will help me to keep my focus that intensive.
Ok......UNCLE......
Last week was....frustrating.... in the design area.
Fantasia is still a fantasy; my edging for the Challenge doily is still a challenge; and with the remodel work, I'm reluctant to start anything new.
So, I revisited this stitching project:
I rather like working with this combination of cotton perle and silk floss. It will do nicely for a background.
Here’s a link to the posting of the Biscornu on the International Organization of Lace, Inc. website.
They have been encouraging lace making for many, many years. Recently, there have been more tatting resources available through IOLI. I encourage you to check out their website and consider joining in the Virtual Convention July 25-August 1, 2021.
The next 2 weeks, I will be attending a class on Church
Music & Hymnology. While it is virtual, I will not have unlimited time at
the computer outside class. I will be sketching future designs for tatted
pieces, perhaps a new ornament collection. Please forgive if I miss a blog
post. June 2021 will be an exciting time for me!
Happy tatting!!
I finished my tatted biscornu.
 |
| Tatted biscornu |
 |
| biscornu tatted with beads |
Thank you Muskaan for the pattern that inspired it all:
Hidden Rose. I have ideas for more pieces!
That was the question of the day yesterday. Here’s my solution:
More next Tuesday……
I feel a sense of accomplishment. The photo isn’t representative
of what the project will look like. That happens with 3-D tatting. To me, that’s
a satisfying part of creating lace with shuttles or needles. The in-person
version is always better!
I guess that’s why I continue to work towards more organists
playing the organ more often. Recordings are nice, but the real thing: much,
much better!
Well, sort of….
The flooring is sanded and the finish is going on well. More
coats to go. So, the tatting time has been, adjusted. I haven’t been as
productive as I usually am. More mistakes happen, more mental fatigue that
scares me off from picking up thread, more just plain tiredness.
I promise it will get back to normal soon!
PS: I figured out I somehow scheduled the post to appear far
in the future. So, here it is a day late….and several dollars short with the
flooring work!
What Day is today? Oh yeah! A day to tat!!!!
But first, gardening chores took some time yesterday. I HAD
to snap a photo of this bud. This is the rose that has inspired my color
choices in the Hidden Rose Adventure.
That was my life yesterday.
I worked the last two days to make sure all the “must do” tasks got finished before I received my 2nd jab. (All is well so far, thank you.) So, when I created the post on the Hidden Rose square version, I was so focused on getting things done, I didn’t put off anything! The post went live when I had planned to schedule it for this morning. Out of order, context, focus, whatever. I’m just happy to have the vaccine in me.
I can’t wait to gather again in person for music fun and tatting fun!!
Oh, and yes, the second side did create a nice two sided
something. Now to figure out how to load the beads onto the thread so they end
up where I’d like them to appear in the pattern. Perhaps I should wait until I’m
back in context?
Thank you Muskaan for
inspiring us!!!
I wanted to create a square version. So far, so good:
To be continued……..
Several large projects are close to completion. That’s good! Reality is large projects tend to consume waking hours and creative thinking. All but one will not be easy to blog about. Too difficult to take a picture to share, not really tatting or even organ music. So, this space may be a bit dull for several posts. Thanks for your patience. I would like to share this picture though:
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| keyboard of Dobson organ at St. Dunstan's Carmel Valley, CA |
Not what tattoo would a Greek ask for? Sometimes living with a sense of humor that includes puns is tough!
I was reminded of a contest sponsored by IOLI yesterday. “Lace a Moon” I see all possibilities for Geeks who Tat.
What would a Geek tat?
I decided to tat this pattern by Mimi Dillman to practice my
Cluny technique. I remembered trying it out many years ago, but couldn’t find
my sample. I doubt it was given as a gift. You can see my technique is not up
to that standard! Nothing for it but to start a new one. I’m happy with the way
the center section came out. I still need practice, but adding the outer row is
helping to straighten things out.
I’ve already chosen the next pattern to tat again. I’m
having great fun going back into my stack of patterns I’ve tried and retatting
some of them. Yes, I’ve filed some away again without tatting them. Some of
them were just not my “style” and didn’t grab me the first time.
To be continued…..
This is a trial of my latest music based tatting design:
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| Fantasia center |
Remember this pattern from the book of Visual Patterns?
Well, I love a good German Fugue, a rippin’ French Tocatta,
or a glorious English Voluntary, but….
When I tatted Mary Konior’s pattern the first time, I heard
so many possibilities in my head, I sat down and played through several pieces
before deciding the pattern was a Fantasia.
And yes, I DO encourage you to watch the Disney classic!
Yes, I know that’s a vague question. Last post was about marking your pattern. Many of us make a mark for tatting every time we gift a piece of lace, tat in public, or teach someone to tat. For the record, I meant both meaning of the word mark.
To continue the train of thought begun in that last post,
what do I mark?
- Since I’m almost always making a copy, I make sure my
photocopy has the designer name, where I located the pattern, the date I’m
working the pattern.
- Translate a visual diagram to written notation OR written
notation to a rough sketch.
- Picot sizes if joins will be structural.
- Size of thread I’m testing out the pattern with including
my estimate of how much thread I’ll need.
- Where I plan to hide my ends.
- Sometimes I’ll even be marking whether I plan to use
shuttle or needle.
- As I tat the pattern, I’ll add ideas for beads, correct my
guesses for picot size, add color options, and of course: where I need more
skill practice.
It doesn’t bother me when patterns are just suggestions and
not detailed. I do like to have a detailed diagram if there is no clear
photograph. I also like to have more detail when the technique is intermediate
or advanced. It does bother me when the pattern has obviously been edited by
someone who can’t tat. Remind me to tell you sometime about the organ piece
with pedal markings that were just plain wrong: the editor had placed all the
marks below the staff, even the marks for using your right foot. Yeah. I’ve
been known to cross my feet when pedaling certain passages, but I do use my
right foot, thank you!
Next post I promise to present a picture of my newest design: Fantasia. When I think about what I want to do while tatting, I’m always thinking of ways to help people appreciate and even learn about lace (specifically tatting with shuttle AND needle). I invite all tatters out there to make your mark!
I tell my students that frequently. Of course, they usually interpret it just a bit different than I do. I spend a lot of time encouraging the judicious use of pen (never pen) and post-it notes (seldom highlighter) so that their brain can focus on tasks that cannot be “marked” as they create.
Setting my organ hat aside, I have suggestions for those who
look to me when I have my tatting hat on.
Understand and accept there is no standard notation. Just as
there are many ways to write out how a team should line up for the start of
play, there are many ways to write out how to execute a tatting pattern. I do
recommend being familiar with the notation documented and made available to us
by these wonderful organizations:
- Palmetto Tatting Guild: https://www.palmettotatters.org/patterns/StandardTattingNotationforPTGTatDays.pdf
- Shuttlebirds Tatting Guild: https://www.shuttlebirds.com/tatting_abbreviations1.shtml
I also recommend that you be kind to yourself. The more you
note by marking a pattern, the more brain power you have available to create
beautiful lace. You have a powerful brain. If you feel a bit overloaded and
overwhelmed, chances are you need to use a tool (like a pencil or post-it) to
help out your brain. By using thread grown, spun, dyed, and marketed by others,
you’re already using tools. Using a pencil can seem like it slows you down, but
your lace will be more exquisite if you make your mark.
Yesterday and today will therefore be rest days. I spent some time, when I wasn’t sleeping, reading an article on marking your scores by a respected organist. I agreed with the opinions expressed in the article. (Not unusual as I tend to consider all opinions as just that: opinion. I tell my students why I agree and then give them permission to explore, test, and decide.) The bottom line for this organist is that if you mark your score well, your repeat performance will be more accurate, less stressful and more musical.
What has that to do with tatting? Well, I still prefer
working from a copy of a pattern printed on paper. That’s because I always,
always mark the piece of paper with my notes on thread size, shuttle or needle, finished size, amount of thread used, where I found the pattern difficult to reproduce consistently, any other tidbit
that I think I may want to know in 2-3 years when I decide to tat the piece
again.... you get the idea!
Mark your score. Mark your pattern.
Your tatting will be more consistent, more enjoyable and
prettier.
Next week: how I mark my patterns.
With the coming of Easter, and securing a vaccine appointment, I have been able to return to the design folder. I began this pattern idea in 2020. The center fell into place nicely. The middle section is sketched out. The outer round needs a bit of tweaking. Now to tat a sample with all 3 ideas connected into one piece of lace.
I think I’m closer to performing the piece than completing
the design!
It’s always spring where I live. The weather is mild enough that plants are blooming year round. When we prune the roses, we usually are cutting off buds and new growth.
Spring for me means a busy schedule of organ work, finalizing
a pattern or two for the upcoming season of art displays and workshops, and
closing out the previous year.
For 2020, I had successes and very few failures. I will not
say it was a good year. My successes were mostly being able to respond to the
clanging needs and taking on new opportunities in a creative way. The failures
were gut wrenching.
I wish you all a Happy Easter and many hours of enjoying the
bright Spring weather!
Here’s a quick picture of my set up with the 3-D printed
loom Tim sent me. I like the ability to have space between the warp and the
frame. That makes using a shuttle much easier. I found I needed to anchor the
bottom loop of the warp with something other than my hand. Passing the final
warp pass behind the frame, catching the loop, and then anchoring the warp end
did the trick. The extra warp passes allowed me to rest my hands and stretch.
It also allowed me to use both hands to tension the tallies. A win all around!
Thank you again,Tim!!!
I’ve always loved puzzling out how cloth is made. Especially when there’s mechanical stuff involved. I like figuring out how to set up the loom. And of course, I gravitate to the “lace” weaves like leno.
As I learned more tatting techniques, I was fascinated by
using my hands to create cool stuff from thread. I found I was limited by the
hands I have. So, when I saw this:
available through Handy Hands
I had to investigate. I understand the tradition of the tallies in lace. I like how they add to tatting patterns. I Especially like the thought of using a loom because my hand wasn’t straining to make the element. Here’s what I’ve come up with.
I’ll be sending this to be “judged” by veteran tatters. Some of those tatters will likely be proficient in bobbin lace tallies. I’ll be really interested to see what they think!
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| One down, one more to go then some more rings! |
